Holder for postmarking-stamps



(No Model.) v

H. T.- KEITH. HOLDER FOR POSTMARKING STAMPS.

Np. 476,049. Patented May 31, 1892.

WITNESSES /N VENTOR W firrwm .7, @0272 BY 716mm.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRISON T. KEITH, OF VINCENNES, INDIANA.

HOLDER FOR POSTMARKlNG-STAMPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 476,049, dated May 31, 1892.

Application filed November 11, 1891. Serial No. 411,637. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRISON T. KEITH, of Vincennes, in the county of Knox and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Holders for Postmarking- Stamps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is in the nature of an improved holder for supporting and manipulating the ordinary postmarking-stamp which is used for canceling the postage-stamp and marking the mailing-office on the envelope.

The object is to relieve the operator in a measure of the tiresome work by a change of action, to facilitate the work, and to cause the marking-stamp to print evenly with all its letters, so that the postmark may be perfectly legible.

Figure 1 is a side view of the holder, and Fig. 2 is a transverse section through line a: 00.

In the drawings, A is an ordinary wooden tool-handle, which is bored out centrally at one end, and has this end bisected by a saw out which divides this end of the handle into two ends capable of being compressed.

B is a longitudinally-slotted metal sleeve having a thimble or ferruleb at its outer end and having its slotted portion partially contained within the hollow portion of the handle, which it fits closely.

O is a stout closely-coiled spiral spring which forms the flexible shank of the handle and the end of which spring enters the metal sleeve and is pinched and held therein adjustably. For compressing the slitted end of the handle upon the sleeve and the sleeve upon the spring a clamp-collar D encircles the handle near its slitted end and is provided with a set-screw d, which passes through its two adjacent ends. By turning this set-screw the clamp-collar is made to pinch and hold these parts adjustably, so that the flexible E, in which is contained at right angles to the holder the stem 6 of the postniarking-stamp This clamp-socket is provided with setscrews f f, by loosening which one markingstamp may be removed and another inserted.

By means of the marking-stamp holder constructed as thus described the impression may be made with a very slight movement of the Wrist, and the leverage may be changed from time to time to vary the action and relieve the monotony of the stroke or to give greater or less flexibility. The flexible shank also permits the face of the stamp to adjust itself always flatly to the envelope, and thus make a perfect and legible mark.

Having thus described my invention, what 7 I claim as new isformed of a spiral spring extending into said sleeve, and a socket at its outer end for holding the stamp,substantially as shown and described.

HARRISON T. KEITH Witnesses:

J. KEITH, I A. S. MoKEE. 

